Shamanism
has always included dreams and dreamwork. The
call to
become a shaman often appears first in night
dreams. Dreaming is one of
the altered states shamans use for divination,
diagnosis, healing, and
psychopomp work. In many traditional cultures,
shamans are expected to
be strong dreamers, and in some the word for
"shaman" also refers to
strong dreaming. Shamanic cultures still
remember the links between
dreams, spirituality, oracles and healing.
Dreams themselves offer us
ways to renew these ancient ties.

This
weekend, we connect with our dream life and
forge new
links between dreaming and journeying. Dreaming
means much more than
trying to remember what happens while we're
asleep. It includes dream
incubation (the processing of setting intentions
and opening to
dreams), the dream itself, and the process of
interpreting, sharing,
and honoring the dream. Each culture and time in
history has its own
approach to this process, and Bekki will share
some of
these traditions. We also journey into dreams,
to our allies, and
to ask for new allies and guidance as we explore
the world of shamanic
dreaming.

What to
bring: items for the altar, journals and
pens/pencils,
sleeping bag, blankets, comfortable clothes,
shoes for outside walks,
drums and rattles (if you have them). If you
keep a dream journal,
please bring your most recent one, plus records
of any big dreams or
shamanic dreams you have had. If you do not
currently record your
dreams, please record some prior to the workshop
so that you can work
with one during the workshop.

Bekki
Shining Bearheart is a shamanic healer and
teacher of
shamanism who has had an active relationship
with her dreams since
childhood. She has worked with several shamanic
approaches to dreamwork
in the last 15 years.